The interview is journalism's most essential tool—a conversation with purpose that, when done well, can reveal truths, illuminate character, and bring stories to life. Yet conducting a truly effective interview is far more complex than simply asking questions and recording answers. It's a dynamic interplay between preparation and spontaneity, technique and intuition, professional distance and human connection.

In this article, we'll explore the interview techniques that distinguish average journalists from exceptional ones. Drawing from the experiences of award-winning reporters and interviewers, we'll offer practical strategies to help you elicit more meaningful responses, handle challenging subjects, and transform ordinary exchanges into compelling content.

The Psychology of the Interview

Understanding the psychological dynamics of an interview is crucial to its success. Every interview is a unique human interaction with its own power dynamics, expectations, and anxieties on both sides.

Building Trust and Rapport

Trust is the foundation of any productive interview. Without it, subjects may be guarded, defensive, or deliberately misleading. Professional interviewers focus on:

• Authenticity: Being genuinely interested rather than performing interest
• Transparency: Being clear about your purpose and process
• Empathy: Recognizing the subject's perspective and concerns
• Consistency: Following through on promises about the interview process

"The secret is to convince your subject that you're a human being first and a journalist second. Once they recognize your genuine curiosity and fairness, the quality of the conversation transforms." - Terry Gross, host of NPR's "Fresh Air"

Understanding Motivation

Every interview subject has reasons for agreeing to speak with you. Understanding those motivations helps you navigate the conversation:

• Sharing expertise or educating the public
• Setting the record straight or correcting misconceptions
• Promoting a project, cause, or personal brand
• Processing a traumatic or significant experience
• Being recognized or having their voice heard

Recognizing these motivations doesn't mean surrendering to them, but rather understanding the context in which your questions will be received and answered.

Pre-Interview Preparation

The work you do before an interview often determines its success more than the questions you ask during it. Thorough preparation gives you the confidence to listen actively rather than worrying about what to ask next.

Research Strategies

Effective research goes beyond basic facts to find insights that will yield unique questions:

• Review previous interviews to avoid repetition and identify evasions
• Read the subject's work (books, articles, speeches, social media) to understand their voice and perspective
• Speak with associates who can provide context and suggest productive areas of inquiry
• Identify contradictions or evolution in the subject's statements over time
• Research the wider context of the subject's field or situation

Question Development

While spontaneity has its place, thoughtfully crafted questions are more likely to elicit substantive responses:

• Develop a logical progression rather than a random list of questions
• Prepare multiple entry points for important topics in case initial questions don't yield results
• Craft open-ended questions that can't be answered with simple yes/no responses
• Include specific, detailed questions that demonstrate your research and encourage equally specific answers
• Prepare "tent pole" questions – the essential ones you must ask regardless of where the conversation goes

The best-prepared journalists develop a question tree—a branching map of possible follow-ups based on various potential responses—rather than a rigid list.

Creating the Optimal Interview Environment

The setting and context of an interview significantly impact what subjects are willing to share and how authentically they express themselves.

Location Considerations

• The subject's territory (home, office, familiar setting) often yields more personal, relaxed responses
• Neutral locations can reduce power imbalances
• Activity-based interviews (walking, driving, working) can reduce self-consciousness
• Private vs. public settings affect the subject's guard level

Technical Setup

Technical issues can derail even the most promising interview. Professional interviewers always:

• Test recording equipment before the interview
• Bring backup recording devices
• Position microphones optimally without being intrusive
• Minimize background noise and distractions
• Consider the subject's comfort with recording devices

Remember that how you manage technical aspects sends signals about your professionalism and respect for the subject's time.

The Art of Asking Questions

The questions you ask—and how you ask them—are the tools that extract the material you need while maintaining rapport with your subject.

Question Types and Their Uses

• Open-ended questions provide space for expansive answers
  Example: "How did that experience change your perspective?" rather than "Did that experience change you?"
• Probing questions dig deeper into initial responses
  Example: "You mentioned feeling 'betrayed'—can you tell me specifically what actions led to that feeling?"
• Reflective questions show you're processing the information and encourage elaboration
  Example: "So it sounds like you're saying the company knew about the defect months before the recall..."
• Hypothetical questions can reveal values and thought processes
  Example: "If you could redesign that policy from scratch today, what would you do differently?"
• Devil's advocate questions present counter-arguments respectfully
  Example: "Some critics have suggested that this approach actually increases inequality. How do you respond to that perspective?"

Question Delivery

How you ask can be as important as what you ask:

• Keep questions concise - multi-part questions often result in partial answers
• Adjust your tone to the subject matter and relationship
• Allow silence after questions rather than rushing to fill pauses
• Use neutral language that doesn't prejudge or lead the subject
• Maintain eye contact to signal engagement (when culturally appropriate)

"The key is asking simple questions and then genuinely listening to the answer rather than thinking about your next question. The best follow-up question is often simply: 'Why?'" - Christiane Amanpour, CNN Chief International Anchor

Active Listening: The Interview Superpower

The most crucial skill in interviewing isn't asking questions—it's listening to the answers. True active listening goes beyond hearing words to understanding meanings, detecting subtexts, and identifying areas that need exploration.

Components of Active Listening

• Full attention - focusing completely on the subject rather than your notes or next question
• Non-verbal acknowledgment - nodding, facial expressions that indicate comprehension
• Verbal affirmation - brief acknowledgments that show you're following
• Note-taking - capturing key points without breaking engagement
• Mental processing - analyzing responses for inconsistencies or new avenues to explore

The Power of Follow-up

Spontaneous follow-up questions based on active listening often yield the most revealing material:

• The simple "why" - asking subjects to explain their reasoning
• The request for specificity - "Can you give me an example of that?"
• The clarification - "I want to make sure I understand. Are you saying...?"
• The emotional exploration - "How did that make you feel at the time?"
• The contradiction probe - gently highlighting inconsistencies in the narrative

When you truly listen, your follow-up questions signal to the subject that this is a real conversation, not a mechanical exchange—which typically leads to more authentic responses.

Navigating Challenging Interview Situations

Even the most experienced journalists encounter difficult interviews. Having strategies for these situations prevents them from derailing your goals.

The Reluctant Subject

When interviewing someone who provides minimal responses:

• Start with easier, less threatening topics to build comfort
• Use specific rather than general questions to prompt detailed answers
• Show genuine curiosity about their perspective
• Try different question formats if one approach isn't working
• Consider activity-based interviewing to reduce self-consciousness

The Over-Controlling Subject

For subjects who try to dictate terms or control the narrative:

• Politely but firmly redirect to your priority topics
• Use specific examples to ground abstract talking points
• Acknowledge their points before redirecting
• Ask about specific contradictions to prepared narratives
• Be transparent about your journalistic objectives

The Hostile Subject

When interviewing someone who is adversarial or defensive:

• Maintain professional calm and avoid reciprocating hostility
• Focus on facts rather than judgments
• Give the subject space to express their objections
• Demonstrate that you've done thorough research
• Acknowledge their perspective before presenting contrary evidence

The Trauma-Affected Subject

Interviewing people about traumatic experiences requires special sensitivity:

• Give subjects control over timing and boundaries
• Signal empathy without presuming to understand their experience
• Ask permission before exploring sensitive areas
• Be aware of potential retraumatization
• Have resources available for support if needed

"The best interviews happen when subjects feel you're fair—not necessarily sympathetic to their view, but committed to understanding it accurately." - Steve Kroft, former 60 Minutes correspondent

Ethical Considerations in Interviewing

Strong journalistic interviews balance the pursuit of information with ethical responsibilities to subjects and audiences.

Transparency and Consent

• Be clear about your identity, publication, and the purpose of the interview
• Explain how the material will be used and in what context
• Clarify ground rules about attribution, anonymity, or off-record comments
• Obtain informed consent, especially for sensitive topics
• Respect agreed-upon boundaries and embargoes

Fairness and Accuracy

• Present questions without misleading framing
• Give subjects opportunity to respond to significant criticisms
• Represent responses accurately in the final piece
• Consider the context of quotes and the impact of editing
• Be prepared to justify your approach if challenged

Ethical interviewing isn't just about following rules—it's about developing a consistent moral compass that guides your decisions even in ambiguous situations.

After the Interview: Maximizing Value

The work that happens after an interview is crucial to extracting its full value for your story.

Immediate Post-Interview Tasks

• Review and expand notes while the conversation is fresh
• Identify key quotes and moments
• Note observations about non-verbal cues and environment
• Secure and back up recordings
• Follow up on any promised information or connections

Analysis and Integration

• Transcribe critical portions of the interview
• Evaluate material against your reporting objectives
• Identify areas requiring fact-checking or additional sources
• Consider how the material fits within your broader narrative
• Plan follow-up questions if needed

The most valuable insights often emerge during this analysis phase, as you identify patterns, contradictions, and unexpected revelations that weren't immediately apparent during the conversation.

Developing Your Personal Interview Style

While technique is important, the most compelling interviewers also develop a distinctive approach that plays to their personal strengths.

Finding Your Voice

• Identify your natural strengths as a communicator
• Study diverse interviewing styles for inspiration
• Experiment with different approaches to find what works for you
• Develop a flexible style that can adapt to different subjects and contexts
• Seek feedback from peers, editors, and even subjects

Continuous Improvement

• Record and review your interviews when possible
• Identify patterns in your questioning technique
• Practice difficult types of questions
• Build a repertoire of effective transitions and follow-ups
• Learn from both successes and failures

"Every interviewer has their own style—some are confrontational, others conversational, some analytical, others emotional. What matters isn't which approach you take, but that your approach creates an environment where truth emerges." - Anderson Cooper, CNN anchor

Adapting to Digital and Remote Interviews

Modern journalists increasingly conduct interviews via video conferencing, phone, or email. These formats present unique challenges:

Video Interview Techniques

• Test technology in advance and have backup plans
• Create a professional environment visible in your frame
• Maintain eye contact by looking at the camera
• Use more pronounced non-verbal cues to compensate for digital filtering
• Build in extra time for connection issues

Phone Interview Strategies

• Compensate for lack of visual cues with more verbal acknowledgment
• Listen carefully for tonal shifts that might indicate emotion
• Identify yourself and the purpose clearly at the start
• Describe what you're doing during pauses (e.g., "I'm just making a note of that")
• Consider recording for accuracy (with permission)

Email Interview Best Practices

• Limit the number of questions in a single exchange
• Ask specific, concrete questions that are difficult to evade
• Follow up on vague or incomplete answers
• Maintain a conversational tone despite the format
• Be clear about how responses will be attributed

While technology changes, the fundamentals of good interviewing remain consistent: preparation, engagement, active listening, and ethical conduct.

Mastering the art of the interview requires both technical skill and human insight. By studying these techniques and developing your personal approach, you'll be able to consistently extract meaningful, illuminating content from your subjects. Remember that interviewing is ultimately a conversation with purpose—balancing journalistic objectives with genuine human connection. Each interview is not just an opportunity to gather information, but to understand another person's reality and share it accurately with your audience.